A four-fight skid that nearly ended his UFC career also brought clarity to Dan Hardy.

Now back on the winning track, the British welterweight is planning to retire next year, if all goes well.

"I'm ready for a new challenge, I'll be honest," Hardy said. "There are a lot of things about this sport that I love, and a lot of things about this sport that I don't like at all."

Hardy declined to elaborate on his reasons for leaving and said he'll do so when he's closer to retirement.

"Martial arts for me has always been a tool to understand myself a little more, and it's getting to the stage where it's run its course now," he offered. "The structure the sport has taken on is taking away from that for me, and I think I'm best served to be somewhere else in the future."

For now, Hardy (25-10 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is focused on a fight with Matt Brown (16-11 MMA, 9-4 UFC) at UFC on FOX 7, which takes place April 20 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

I actually really like Dan Hardy, even buying into the Kool-Aid just a tiny bit before the GSP fight. He's got his flaws, right, like his ground game is still middling and his striking would benefit so much from fewer lead left hooks and more jabs. But he's still a super exciting fighter and a refreshing presence on the mic.

Because he's been in those wars, because he's actually been knocked out semi-recently, I'm relieved to see he's thinking about the future - more specifically, his health. I think he'd actually be a decent ambassador and fighter relations guy in the UK with his work ethic and personality, perhaps filling the role that the UFC had hoped for Michael Bisping.

ive been watching this sport for over a decade and i still find it weird to hear these guys say that they are going to retire. it seems like hardy has only been here a short time still. i get it though, and he has had a lot of fights and a very up and down career in the ufc. i think he's going to lose to brown though by way of brown's impression of the walking dead and never stopping the attack, gotta love that guy.

him and Benson were the two main reason i attend UFC Live in Milwaukee..he always had a big personality and always fun to watch..but i rather see my favorites retire then watch em get beat over and over again, like Saku..i just cant bring myself to watch Saku anymore..it hurts..lol

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